Grapple.



w. n. MILLER,-

GRAPPLE. APPLICATION FILED MAR. B. 1915.

Patented Aug. 3, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET lab bomm W. D. MILLER.

GRAPPLE. APPLICATION HLE'D MAR. 8. i915.

Patented Aug. 3, 1915.

' um wean WD.Miller:--

SATES ATE GRAPPLE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 3, 1915.

' Application filed March 8, 1915. Serial No. 12,893.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, IVILLIAM D. MILLER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Custer, in the county of Mason and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Grapples, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in hoisting devices, and more specifically to grapples.

The object of my invention is to provide a device for extracting a reamer or other tool from a boring such as is made in drilling for oil or water. In this work it occasionally happens that the reamer or the drill is temporarily lost at the bottom of the bore and the reamer or drill must be removed before the work can be proceeded with. My device is designed to do this quickly, and in a simple and effective manner.

A further object of my invention is to provide a grapple with interchangeable parts so that grip members of various sizes may be inserted for use in different sizes of borings and for grasping differently shaped or sized tools.

In order that the tool being removed may be grasped in a vertical position and not extend crosswise of the hole so as to interfere with its removal, means are provided for bringing the tool into a vertical position as the grip members are compressed.

Other objects of this invention not at this time more particularly enumerated, will be clearly understood from the detailed description and drawings forming a part of this specification.

Furthermore, this invention consists in the novel arrangement and combination of parts more particularly described in the following specification and embodied in the claims appended hereunto and forming a part of this application.

eferring now to the drawings, which are merely illustrative of my invention, Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved grapple, shown inserted in a pipe and grasping the head of a reamer shown in dotted lines. Fig. 2 is an edge elevation of the grapple closed. Fig. 3 is a fragmental edge elevation of the grapple shown open. Fig. 4 is a detail sectional vie-w of thepivotal connection of the levers to the handle. Fig. 5 is a detail front elevation of the inner face of the grip members and guide plates.

Referring further to the drawings, wherein similar reference characters designate similar parts throughout the respective views, 1 designates generally a guide member, comprising a head 2 formed of two sec tions which are secured together by means of screws 2, said head being formed with a perforation centrally through the top thereof, adapted to receive a pipe 2. Two rods 3 are secured at one of their ends and in parallelism on two sides of said head, and to each of the opposite ends is secured a base 4, having a rectangular perforation 4: vertically therethrough. Said base is formed preferably of two sections adapted to be secured together by means of screws 4".

Gripping tongs generally designated by 5 comprise a link 6 provided with a screwthreaded ropesocket 7 on the upper end thereof adapted to receive a rope 8. The lower end of the link is formed with a bifurcated portion 9, in which are pivotally mounted at 10 two grip levers 11. The upper ends of said levers are formed with opposing cam faces 12 and to the lower ends are secured opposing grip members 13 having a roughened gripping face 14 interiorly thereof. Above said grip members, and adjacent thereto, are curved guide plates 15 adapted to guide the reamer to a vertical position, and also guide the grapple within the pipe so that the grip members will not catch on the side of the pipe. The said grip levers are adapted to slide within the perforation P. A leaf spring 16 is secured at one end to one of said grip levers so that the free end will contact with the other lever and force the grip members apart when the gripping tongs are moved downwardly within the perforation at". The tongs 5 are made in different sizes, and in order to change them the screws 2* and 4t must be removed so as to open the guide member 1 which is formed of two similar sections. When the tongs are interchanged, the screws are replaced and the grapple is ready for use.

To operate my grapple, the tongs 5 are pushed downwardly within the guide mem ber 1 until the lower end of the link 6 contacts with the inner face of the base 4. In this position, as shown in Fig. 3, the spring 16 will press apart the grip levers 11 and the grip members 13. In this position the grapple is lowered to the bottom of the bore. On touching bottom the grip members will encompass the reamer that has been lost and operation causes the grip members to sec e y ag the ream re IIQPQ 8 s;

then drawn taut so as to hold the tongs in firm engagement with the manner and the grapple, is withdrawn from the boring.

The utility, adaptability, and advantages of my improved form of grapple being obvious, it is unnecessary to further enlarge upon the same herein.

Having now described and pointed out the new and useful features of my invention, 1 do not limit myself to the shape of certain parts where the shape is not essential, nor do I restrict myself to the exact details of construction shown and described, but mean and intend to claim all equivalents and variations thereof not departingin principle from my invention and falling within the purview of the appended claims.

What, I claim as my invention and desire to secure hy- Letters Patent is:

1. In a grapple of the character described, the, combination of a guide member, said guide member provided with an upper and lower housing, an upwardly extending pipe secured to the upper of said housings, a link mounted within said guide member, tongs pivotally mounted to said link, and lifting means secured to said link.

2. In a grapple of the character described, the combination of a guide member, said guide member provided with an upper and lower housing, an upwardly extending pipe secured to the upper of said housings, a link mounted within said guide member, tongs pivotally mounted to said link, lifting means secured to said link, guide plates secured to said tongs, and means secured to said link for raising said tongs within said guide member.

In testimony whereof I aflix signature in the; presence of two. witnesses.

VVILLIAM' D MILLER. Witnesses FRED A. STAH-ELI-N, J. G oRnoN.

Copies of thispaten-t may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissionen of Batmta. Washington, D. G.-' 

